Dunbar is a 1st Team NJCAA All-American

Freshman Makenna Dunbar (Wellsville, NY) is in elite company. The freshman has been named to the 2026 NJCAA 1st Team All-American team after an outstanding season.  This places her as one of the four best infielders in NJCAA D3 this season.  

Dunbar's season looked a little different than she had planned when she arrived on the Spencer Hill campus in August, but the outcome was exactly what she expected.  As a pitcher, Dunbar was slated to carry a lot of innings this season until some pain and swelling during the fall sidelined aspirations to step into the circle full time.  Dunbar transitioned to playing first base most of the season, with a few appearances in the outfield, as she prioritized her healing and recovery.  She immediately made a big difference on both sides of the plate for the Red Barons.  

Dunbar hit .404 from the three-spot and knocked in 43 RBI's.  She added 54 runs scored, 5 HR's, 15 doubles and posted a .623 slugging percentage.  She was just as reliable on defense, finishing with a .965 fielding percentage.  Dunbar was named All-MSAC Conference Team as well as 1st Team All-Region III while helping to lead the Red Barons to a MSAC Conference Championship, Region III Championship and their 5th appearance in the last 6 seasons at the NJCAA College World Series.  

Head Coach Stacy Johnson had this to say about Dunbar: "Makenna is a competitor and one tough young woman.  When some obstacles were set in her way, she responded in exactly the way a high-level player would; she made adjustments and did what she could to help the team reach their goals.  She never once showed a feel sorry for me mentality or dwelled on the fact that her plan and role had changed within the team.  She chose to focus on what she could control and help the team where she could.  That speaks a lot about her character and unselfishness.  The only thing more impressive, was the way she swung with a bat in her hand."

This award follows All-MSAC Conference team recognition as well as NJCAA All-Region III Team honors.  Dunbar becomes the 66th Red Baron to earn NJCAA All-American honors under Head Coach Stacy Johnson's tenure.